MON*BIO is a part of the Monitoring programme of the National Water Systems (in Dutch : Monitoring Waterstaatkundige Toestand des Lands; MWTL) The primary goal of the MWTL programme is to provide physical, chemical and biological information in relation to long term developments. So the focal point for the monitoring programme is based on trend detection. Another aim is to check the compliance to national and international assessment criteria. The Dutch marine and brackish waters are dived into areas. In field GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE the area is mentioned. This part of the MON*BIO programme consists of birds and mammals. The given date is the first year data is available. Most of the inspections are carried out 12 times a year, but during the given period it could be more or less due to changes in the national monitoring programme. All inspections are carried out by Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's). Mammals: The programme started in 1976. Birds: The programme started in 1979. For the actual planning: www.waterplan.nl